Dean’s 80 no more, now LX-450

[dr_dobro]

The shock relocation works much better. I tried different scenarios with the ultimate being behind axle, but in my case couldn’t really do it or just too lazy to modify the gas filler neck as I have pushed the axle backwards.
The middle row seat just barely makes it. I have figure what I am going to do for some removable covers in the future .
Here are the results with more testing and adjustments!

 

[jcardona1]

This thing turned out awesome

 

[dr_dobro]

This thing turned out awesome

Thanks ! Will see how she does this Labor Day weekend

D.

 

[OGBeno]

Awesome work Daniel.

 

[junior80]

yes. we all love a shock poking through the floor. good job guys.

 

[dr_dobro]

Updating this thread to a new beginning.
With the helps of parents, Dean got himself a clean stock 96 450. Second generation cruiser guy with a proud dad !
Eventually he will introduce himself as he want to document his “overlander” build here! I have encouraged him to join for the amazing tech that mud offers as well as being part of it.

After 4 years of hard wheeling, he managed to kind of kill the 80 …..I got tired of fixing it so we parted it out to keep all the suspension (where all the $ are).
It was a good truck just too big for the east coast. Moving forward, he turned 16 this past December and got his permit, now waiting til July for his formal driving test! It does look like the LX will be his baby, he couldn’t being happier with anything else in life! We are also currently building a 40 in order to have fun in the woods and keep the LX intact
Here’s a few shots of the old car, new one will be here soon

 

[dr_dobro]

Last batch

 

[dr_dobro]

A 20hr round trip with kid got us this with the trailer, Needs some work but very clean overall.
2,000 miles achieved with stock appearance (the way it came from PO) with just a fresh motor oil change
We started gathering parts for a 4” suspension…..

 

[dr_dobro]

Went with cheap Ironman springs that needed to be painted.
We were heading to the Yankee toys event in NH and slap everything together in 3 days, we were able to do the following:
Aftermarket parts
- cruiser outfitters part time kit. I ended grooving the stock birfs as I had no time to tear the front apart for some RCV’S I have on the side
- Delta 5L front control arms
- Cut and sleeved the panhard bar to center the axle. Pressed new oem bushings.
- aisin brake master
- deleted ABS completely by also removing all unusable lines.
- no sway bars (for the moment)
- remanufactured alternator
- cruiser outfitters 555 TRE’s

Toyota parts
- new steering pump with gasket
- new high pressure line
- new 3 belts

 

[dr_dobro]

Dean drove a 9 hr round trip and had fun for two days. I pretty much didn’t do anything but sleep on the road. Didn’t like the feeling as I felt old? For sure trust deans road skills very much !

Truck did well, with no sway bars, tires at 32 psi, 4:11 for now cruised at an average of 70 mph
Truck did well, impressed with the delta arms, just a little bump steer but excepted for not re arranging the geometry.

 

[dr_dobro]

We had a blast while hanging out with @CatskillsRunner @NeverGiveUpYota in between others

Next is prepping a set of factory locked axles I have with 5.29’s. Re link the rear axle for better geometry and perhaps do high steer with new panhard bar, it should cruise way better….

Currently Dean and I are working on a stereo Installing front and rear cameras
He also swapped an old console I had to gain more storage. Lexus one for sure has very little

@TheCarMaster40

 

[FMC80]

I think what you did and continue to do with your boy is badass. He is getting some really beneficial skills that he'll use forever. I'm jealous! The new 80 looks great, I think black is one of the best colors available. Looking forward to this next build!

 

[dr_dobro]

I think what you did and continue to do with your boy is badass. He is getting some really beneficial skills that he'll use forever. I'm jealous! The new 80 looks great, I think black is one of the best colors available. Looking forward to this next build!

Thanks for the kind words, bonding time is amazing as he’s into this as much as I am. Main focus is not to be distracted with something malicious it constructive .

I forgot to mention when we bought the truck, PO had the engine completely rebuild with new head, he cheaped out with certain things like not changing any of the accessories and what we are completely changing. Shop who did transfer the 50k mile guarantee to us. New engine only had 2500 miles when bought it. (He got sick and tired of spending money as others things popped that we fixed)
Last thing I did is replace the radiator to a factory one. re flush (only distilled water as I don’t like chemicals ever getting flushed out) twice. Popped the thermostat for continuos flushing and found it’s not a Toyota. I am not an engineer and wouldn’t know the resistance difference but picture will explain better (lucky I had an extra one laying around)

 

[dr_dobro]

Swapping a newly aluminum aftermarket radiator to a Toyota one, made a cooling improvement. Gauge is a bit lower than before and steady. I have to hook up a constant digital real temperature reader ….

We decided to ditch the oem locker axles for arb’s (sometime early next year). Now making another trip (hopefully next weekend), tore the front end apart. Collected all the parts over the summer and ready for Sunday fun swap.
This is one of the things I enjoy the most as is very laid back and straight forward, well maybe after doing at least 50 of them in my cruiser life.
Hopefully this last until gas car gets obsolete and just replace trunnion bearings only !

 

[dr_dobro]

It’s a good thing having spares parts and prepped over the summer. Really expedited the job!
Dean started assembling the axle from RCV’S to re installing TRE’s (I did the seals ).
One mistake he did was over torquing one side of the wiper seal bolt by snapping one of them. While guiding him, I actually said a few times to be careful with those tinny bolts and the effects of force. Well, I was glad it happen and didn’t chase him down the street like my father would…. Leave and learn. I made thousand of mistakes and the only way to learn. I tossed all of those bolts and replace them with new hardware. (Positioning was pure luck, drilled it out without taking the entire assembly apart)
I did re check all of the proper torque and all of the work. She’s back on the road until next adventure.

 

[Offroader93]

Dean drove a 9 hr round trip and had fun for two days. I pretty much didn’t do anything but sleep on the road. Didn’t like the feeling as I felt old? For sure trust deans road skills very much !

Truck did well, with no sway bars, tires at 32 psi, 4:11 for now cruised at an average of 70 mph
Truck did well, impressed with the delta arms, just a little bump steer but excepted for not re arranging the geometry.

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Very nice shot in front of Building 136 at Kings Park!

 

[dr_dobro]

Guessing you grew up here. Not many people know about it if not local ?

 

[Offroader93]

Yep, grew up on the north shore of Nassau County. Have explored and photographed those buildings since 2010. Neat stuff.

Guessing you grew up here. Not many people know about it if not local ?

 

[Rics4rnr]

The builds on both 80’s are awesome!

I was great wheeling with you and your son at Rausch Creek.

 

[dr_dobro]

Continuing deans Lexus documentation, this weekend he re did the rear brakes with new hub bearings. He also noticed that is a lot easier to work on a non rusted New England older car !
I am really impressed and proud how much he has improved since he’s attending boces in the morning and shadowing at Toyota Saturdays. It looks like another Toyota dealer wants to hire him so fingers crossed !
Oh, he decided to go back to stock tires to afford gas on his own. He kind of digs how funny she looks. Next episode coming soon
Here are some pics